JP2009011408A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a player have the expectations of the result of drawing by outputting sound by volume different from the volume set by the player since further values can not be found just because the volume is adjustable by an operation by the player himself/herself. <P>SOLUTION: In the game machine, when the entry of a game ball is detected in start winning port switches 80 and 82, big winning drawing is performed by a main control CPU 72 with that as a trigger. Also, a performance control CPU 96 controls the operation of a performance using a liquid crystal display device 42, various kinds of lamps and speakers 54 and 56 on the basis of the result of the big winning drawing. When the result of the big winning drawing is a winning (big winning) and the performance control CPU 96 determines to carry out the performance of "big winning advance announcement", even when the player has set a volume level to "small" by operating a volume adjustment switch 60, advance announcement sound is output at a stipulated volume level "big" without interposing a volume circuit 110. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine having a function of outputting sound from a sound facility such as a speaker, and more particularly to control of sound output.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique is known in which a player adjusts the volume of sound output from a gaming machine according to his / her preference, or switches to a broadcast sound different from a game for output.

  For example, in a gaming machine provided with a speaker for outputting information necessary for indicating the progress of the game, a volume adjuster is arranged on the front surface of the gaming machine main body, and the player operates the volume adjuster. The prior art (1) is known in which the volume from the speaker can be adjusted according to the player's preference (see Patent Document 1). In the prior art (1), a volume adjuster is also provided on the back side of the gaming machine main body, and the connection to the speaker can be switched between the front and back volume adjusters. Therefore, the game hall operator can also adjust the volume.

  In addition, as another prior art (2), different types of first speaker unit, second speaker unit, and third speaker unit are provided in the gaming machine, and among these, the sound effect of the game can be output from the first speaker unit, An announcement in the field can be output from the second speaker unit, and music from a broadcasting station can be output from the third speaker unit. These can be switched by operating a band switch, and the volume can be adjusted by a group of adjustment knobs. Is known (see Patent Document 2). According to this prior art (2), since the sound output from the gaming machine can be switched to a sound other than the sound effect (in-store announcement, broadcast music, etc.), the range of selection of the sound information is widened accordingly. In addition, the volume can be adjusted according to the player's preference for various types of audio information.

Alternatively, a stop switch provided exposed on the surface of the slot machine casing allows the player to set the volume, and a rotary switch is arranged inside the casing, thereby Prior art (3) is known in which only an operator can automatically set a variable range of volume adjustment by a rotary switch (see Patent Document 3). According to the prior art (3), the player can adjust the volume to his liking by operating the stop switch, but the variable range is limited by the operation of the rotary switch. It does not deviate from the intention of the operator.
JP-A-10-108940 JP 2003-88615 A JP 2004-215805 A

  However, each of the above prior arts has the following problems. First, although the prior art (1) can adjust the volume according to the player's preference, it can only increase or decrease the volume output from the gaming machine as a whole. For this reason, when the player's ear gets used to the adjusted volume, there is no difference from the situation before the change for the player, and no particular benefits can be obtained.

  Next, the prior art (2) provides the player with another benefit not available in the prior art (1) in that different audio information can be selected. However, as far as game sound effects are concerned, it is only an adjustment to increase or decrease the volume as a whole, and the problem of the prior art (1) has not yet been solved.

  In the prior art (3), in addition to the player being able to adjust the volume according to his / her preference, the variable range can be limited according to the intention of the game hall operator, so it is beneficial for both the player and the game hall operator. Is given. However, since the player can only increase or decrease the overall volume within the variable range, the player still has the same problems as the prior arts (1) and (2).

  Therefore, the present invention has an object to provide a technique that is not limited to simply adjusting the volume output from a gaming machine.

The present invention employs the following means in order to solve the above problems.
Solution 1: The present invention includes sound output means for outputting sound, and sound volume setting means for setting the sound output volume from the sound output means to be variable (multiple steps) based on the player's operation. It is a gaming machine. With the above basic configuration, the sound volume when the sound is output from the sound output means in the gaming machine can be changed depending on the player's preference.

  In addition, the gaming machine according to the present invention includes an output sound determining means for determining the content of the sound to be output from the sound output means during the game, and a volume setting means based on the sound content determined by the output sound determining means. Selectively control whether the sound is output by the sound output means at the volume set by, or whether the sound is output by the sound output means at a predetermined volume regardless of the volume set by the volume setting means. And an audio output control means.

  Thus, in the gaming machine of the present invention, the sound is not always output at the volume set based on the player's operation, but is selectively controlled depending on what kind of sound is output, The output sound volume is different. For example, when outputting sound of content related to the player's profit, the control to output this at a predetermined volume (default volume) is selected, unlike the volume set based on the player's operation Assuming that In this case, for the player, the sound is output at a volume different from the volume set by the player, so that the player can be made to feel some discomfort. Also, in this case, the player's interest can be greatly attracted to the contents of the output sound and the meaning thereof, thereby enhancing the effect of using the sound.

  Solution 2: In Solution 1, the gaming machine according to the present invention includes a plurality of audio content storage units that store the content of the sound determined by the output sound determination unit in advance, and each of the content stored in the sound content storage unit. For each audio content, a volume setting permission / prohibition defining unit that defines whether or not the sound volume can be set by the volume setting unit may be further provided.

  In this case, the sound output control means has determined that the sound whose sound volume is permitted to be set by the sound volume setting enable / disable defining means is output from the sound stored in the sound content storage means. In this case, control is performed to output sound by the sound output means at the sound volume set by the sound volume setting means, while output sound determination means is to output sound whose sound volume is not permitted by the sound volume setting enable / disable defining means. Is determined, control is performed to output sound by the sound output means at a predetermined volume.

  The above-mentioned audio content storage means stores in advance a plurality of types of audio to be output, including not only the audio related to the player's interest but also other content ( Audio that is not directly related to the player's interests). Then, the volume setting enable / disable defining means predefines whether or not the volume can be set according to the contents of the sound, thereby disallowing the setting of the volume based on the player's operation for the sound of the contents related to the player's profit. In addition, it is possible to allow the volume to be set for the sound of other contents. In this case, even if the player has set the volume extremely low, the voice of the content related to the player's profit can be output at the default volume (high volume), and thus the player's profit can be output. It can attract a great deal of attention and allow players to reaffirm their willingness and interest in games.

The present invention also provides the following as separate independent solutions.
Solution 3: That is, according to the present invention, when a predetermined event occurs during the game, a lottery execution unit that executes a lottery relating to a player's profit and a lottery execution unit that is predetermined when the lottery is performed. The symbol display means for stopping the display of the symbol in a manner corresponding to the result of the lottery by the lottery execution means after the symbol display is changed over the fluctuation time, and the result of the lottery by the lottery execution means corresponds to the specific result In addition, the gaming machine includes a gaming state transition unit that shifts to a gaming state advantageous to the player when the symbol is displayed by the symbol display unit in a mode according to the specific result.

  In addition, the gaming machine of the solution means 3 is based on a player's operation, and at least a sound output means for outputting a sound during a change in the display of the symbol by the symbol display means, and a sound volume output from the sound output means. Based on the result of the lottery by the volume setting means to be variably set and the lottery execution means, the audio output means outputs the sound at the volume set by the volume setting means, or the volume set by the volume setting means Regardless, the audio output control means for selectively controlling whether the audio output means outputs the sound at a predetermined volume is provided.

  According to the solution means 3, when a predetermined event (a winning opening, a winning of a game ball to a winning device, etc.) occurs during the game, a lottery relating to the profit of the player is performed. If this lottery result corresponds to a specific result, after the symbol display by the symbol display means fluctuates over the variation time, the symbol is displayed in a manner according to the specific result, and the gaming state is advantageous to the player The player is given the benefit of moving to. Therefore, the player's interest in the game tends to concentrate on whether or not the lottery result corresponds to a specific result, but the lottery result still remains to the player while the symbol is changing (before stop display). It is not clearly informed. Therefore, in Solution 3, there is a technique in which the effect is produced using the fluctuation time of the symbol, the player has a sense of expectation for the lottery result, and the player is reconfirmed of interest and interest in the game. .

  That is, the solution means 3 can output a sound as part of such an effect. Further, the sound volume when the sound is output by the sound output means is set to be variable (for example, in a plurality of stages) based on the player's operation. However, here, the sound is not always output at the volume set based on the player's operation, but the volume varies depending on the lottery result.

  For example, even if the sound is output at the volume set by the player, it is very natural for the player, and there is no particular sense of incongruity there. On the other hand, if the sound is output at a volume different from the volume set by the player, it is unnatural for the player, and in this case, the player can feel some discomfort. By using this, the sound is output at a volume different from the volume set by the player, so that the player has a sense of expectation for the result of the lottery and reconfirms the interest and interest in the game. Can contribute.

  Solving means 4: In the solving means 3, the sound output control means outputs the sound at a predetermined volume regardless of the volume set by the volume setting means when the result of the lottery by the lottery execution means corresponds to a specific result. Control for outputting sound by means is executed.

  In the solution means 4, when the result of the lottery corresponds to a specific result and the game state is determined to be shifted to a game state advantageous to the player, it is set based on the player's operation. By making the sound output at the default volume instead of the original volume, the player feels something uncomfortable, and also tells the player in advance that the result of the lottery is a specific result. Can do. Note that “notice” here is to teach (or disclose, announce, and notify) the result of the lottery before the symbol display by the symbol display means stops (during the change). “Sound” not only directly, explicitly or indirectly teaches the results of the lottery according to the language form, but also includes those that emit sounds (sound effects, sounds, general sounds) from anything. To do. These “notice” and “sound” are the same in all solution means.

  In any case, for example, even if the player has set an extremely low volume, if the sound is output at a predetermined high volume, the player is interested in the production there. Furthermore, if the player recognizes the law that “If the sound is output at a volume different from the volume set by the player, it corresponds to a specific lottery result” By making the sound output at a predetermined volume, it is possible to notify the player that the lottery result corresponds to a specific result.

  Solving means 5: In the solving means 4, the sound output control means may execute control for causing the sound output means to output a sound having a content instructing the player that the lottery result corresponds to a specific result. it can.

  In this case, for example, the result of the lottery can be taught to the player in a clear language form, so that the announcement effect using the voice is surely performed without being greatly influenced by the individual player's attention and judgment. be able to.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, it is possible for the player to play the game with the default volume without particularly adjusting the volume, but by adjusting the volume by the player's own operation, Demonstrate the effect.

  In other words, although the sound is usually only a part of the production, if the sound is output at a volume different from the volume set by the player himself, the sound itself suddenly has a value as a production that is highly expected by the player ( Changes to something with significance. For this reason, in the past, the overall volume was simply increased or decreased, but the player himself / herself adjusts the volume, thereby expanding the range of choices for the game and providing the player with a variety of ways to enjoy the game. be able to.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter abbreviated as “pachinko machine”) 1. The pachinko machine 1 uses a game ball as a game medium, and a player borrows a game ball from a game hall operator to play a game with the pachinko machine 1.

  The pachinko machine 1 mainly includes an outer frame unit 2, a glass frame unit 4, a ball tray unit 6 and a gaming machine frame (not shown) as its main body. Among these, the outer frame unit 2 is fixed to an island facility (not shown) in the game hall using a fastener such as a screw. The other glass frame unit 4, ball tray unit 6, and gaming machine frame (not shown) are attached to the island facility via the outer frame unit 2, and each of these operates in an openable manner via a hinge mechanism (not shown). An opening / closing axis of a hinge mechanism (not shown) extends in the vertical direction along the left end as viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 1.

  A locking unit (not shown) is provided on the inner side (back side) of the right edge of the gaming machine frame, and correspondingly, the right edge of the glass frame unit 4 and the outer frame unit 2 are not shown. Locking tool is provided. As shown in FIG. 1, in a state where the glass frame unit 4 and the gaming machine frame are closed with respect to the outer frame unit 2, the locking unit together with the locking device disables the opening of the glass frame unit 4 and the gaming machine frame. Yes.

  A cylinder lock 6 a with a key hole is provided on the right edge of the ball tray unit 6. For example, when a game hall manager inserts a dedicated key into the keyhole and twists the cylinder lock 6a clockwise, the locking unit is activated and the glass frame unit 4 and the ball tray unit 6 can be opened together with the gaming machine frame. It becomes. When these are opened from the outer frame unit 2 to the front side (moved like a door), the back side of the pachinko machine 1 is exposed. On the back side of the pachinko machine 1, a not-shown dispensing device unit, launching device unit, and the like are installed, as well as various electronic devices and connection terminals that constitute the power supply system and control system of the pachinko machine 1. . The electronic device will be further described later based on another block diagram (FIG. 2).

  On the other hand, when the cylinder lock 6a is twisted counterclockwise, the glass frame unit 4 is unlocked while the gaming machine frame is locked, and the glass frame unit 4 can be opened. When the glass frame unit 4 is opened to the front side, the game board 8 is exposed directly, and in this state, the manager of the game hall can remove obstacles such as ball clogging in the board surface. When the glass frame unit 4 is opened, the lock mechanism (not shown) of the ball tray unit 6 is exposed. When the lock mechanism is released in this state, the ball tray unit 6 can be opened to the front side with respect to the gaming machine frame.

  The pachinko machine 1 includes a game board 8 as a game unit. The game board 8 is supported by a game machine frame (not shown) behind the glass frame unit 4. The gaming board 8 can be attached to and detached from the gaming machine frame with the glass frame unit 4 opened to the front side, for example. The glass frame unit 4 has a vertically oval window 4a formed at the center thereof, and a glass unit (no reference numeral) is attached in the window 4a. The glass unit is a combination of, for example, two transparent plates (glass plates) cut in accordance with the shape of the window 4a. The glass unit is attached to the back side of the glass frame unit 4 in an openable / closable manner via a hinge mechanism (not shown). A game area 8a (board surface) is formed on the front surface of the game board 8, and the game area 8a is visible to the player from the front side through the window 4a. When the glass frame unit 4 is closed, a space in which a game ball can flow down is formed between the inner surface of the glass unit and the game board surface.

  The ball tray unit 6 can store a game ball (rental ball) lent to a player and a game ball (prize ball) acquired by winning a prize. The pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment is a so-called CR machine (model connected to the CR unit), and the game balls borrowed by the player are paid out from the payout unit to the ball tray unit 6 separately from the prize balls. A ball lending button 10 and a return button 12 are arranged on the front surface of the ball tray unit 6, and a ball lending button is inserted in a state in which a valuable medium (for example, a magnetic recording medium, a medium with built-in IC memory, etc.) is inserted into a CR unit not shown When the player operates 10, the number of game balls (for example, 125) corresponding to a predetermined frequency unit (for example, 5 degrees) is lent out. A frequency display unit 14 is disposed on the front surface of the ball tray unit 6, and the frequency display unit 14 displays the remaining frequency of the valuable medium. The player can receive the return of the valuable medium with the remaining frequency by operating the return button 12.

  Further, a left sphere extraction lever 6b is installed at the upper left part of the ball tray unit 6, and a central sphere extraction button 6c is installed at the center thereof. The player can drop the game balls stored in the ball tray unit 6 downward and discharge them by operating these left ball removal lever 6b and central ball removal button 6c. The discharged game ball is received by, for example, a ball receiving box (not shown).

  A grip unit 16 is installed in the lower right portion of the ball tray unit 6. The player operates the grip unit 16 to operate a launching device unit (not shown) and can launch a game ball toward the game area 8a. The launched game ball rises along the left side edge of the game board 8, is guided by an outer band (not shown), and is thrown into the game area 8a. A large number of obstacle nails and windmills (not shown in the figure) are arranged in the game area 8a, and the thrown game balls flow down in the game area 8a while being guided by the obstacle nails and windmills.

  Further, in the game area 8a, a gate 20, normal winning ports 22, 24, an upper starting winning port 26, a variable starting winning device 28, a variable winning device 30, and the like are installed. The game balls thrown into the game area 8a randomly pass through the gate 20 in the process of flowing down, or win the normal winning ports 22, 24, the upper starting winning port 26, and the variable starting winning device 28 ( Enter). The game balls that have passed through the gate 20 continue to flow down in the game area 8a, but the winning game balls are collected to the back side of the game board 8 through through holes formed in the game board.

  The variable start winning device 28 operates when a predetermined condition is satisfied (when a normal symbol is displayed in a predetermined manner), and enables a winning to the lower start winning opening (normal electric drive). An accessory). The variable winning device 30 operates when a specific condition is satisfied (when a special symbol is displayed in a specific manner), and allows a prize to be awarded to a special winning opening (special electric accessory). .

  In addition, an out port 32 is formed in the game area 8 a, and game balls that have not won a prize are finally collected through the out port 32 to the back side of the game board 8. The collected game balls join a supply route for an island facility (not shown).

  In the game board 8, for example, a normal symbol display device 34 and a special symbol display device 36 are provided at the lower right position in the window 4a, and a game state display device 38 is provided. The normal symbol display device 34 can display the fluctuation state of the normal symbol by, for example, blinking a lamp (LED), and can display the stop state of the normal symbol by turning on or off the lamp. In addition, the special symbol display device 36 can display the variation state and the stop state of the special symbol, respectively, using, for example, a 7-segment LED with a dot (decimal point). The game state display device 38 includes, for example, a holding lamp corresponding to a normal symbol, a jackpot type display lamp, a probability variation state display lamp, a short-time state display lamp, etc. (all without reference numerals).

  The game board 8 is provided with a production unit 40 from the center position to the right side. The effect unit 40 has an upper edge portion 40a that functions as a guide member that changes the flow direction of the game ball, and includes various decorative parts 40b and 40c on the inner side. The decorative parts 40b and 40c can enhance the decorativeness of the game board 8 by the three-dimensional modeling, and can perform a dramatic operation by emitting transmitted light using, for example, a built-in light emitter (LED or the like). A liquid crystal display 42 is installed inside the effect unit 40, and various effect images are displayed on the liquid crystal display 42, including effect symbols corresponding to special symbols. As described above, the game board 8 impresses the player with the characteristics of the pachinko machine 1 based on the configuration of the board surface (design of a cell plate (not shown)) and the decoration of the effect unit 40.

  A ball guide passage 40d is formed at the left edge of the effect unit 40, and a rolling stage 40e is formed at the lower edge thereof. The ball guide passage 40d is opened obliquely upward to the left in the game area 8a. When a game ball flowing down in the game area 8a randomly flows into the ball guide path 40d, the ball guide passage 40d passes through the inside and rolls. Released onto the stage 40e. The upper surface of the rolling stage 40e has a smooth curved surface. Here, the game ball can roll in the left-right direction. The game ball that has rolled on the rolling stage 40e will eventually flow into the lower game area 8a. A ball discharge path 40f is formed at the lower position of the rolling stage 40e. At this time, the game ball that has flowed down from the rolling stage 40e to the ball discharge path 40f can easily win the upper start winning opening 26 just below the ball. Become.

  The effect unit 40 is provided with a holding lamp 44 (memory lamp) corresponding to the special symbol along the lower edge of the screen of the liquid crystal display 42. The hold lamp 44 is lit to memorize that a winning has occurred when a game ball wins the above-mentioned upper starting winning opening 26 or variable starting winning apparatus 28 (lower starting winning opening), and the special is triggered by the winning. Turns off when symbol changes start. The number of lighting of the holding lamp 44 (maximum of 4) represents the number of winning times (the number of winning balls) at which the change of the special symbol has not started yet.

  In the glass frame unit 4, upper frame lamps 46 and 48 and lower frame lamps 50 and 52 are installed at a plurality of locations as components for production. These frame lamps 46 to 52 execute effects by, for example, light emission (lighting or blinking, change in luminance gradation, change in color tone, etc.) of the built-in LED. A pair of left and right upper speakers 54 are built in the upper part of the glass frame unit 4, and a pair of left and right lower speakers 56 are built in the lower part of the outer frame unit 2. These speakers 54 and 56 output effects sound, BGM, voice, etc. (overall sound) and execute effects.

  Two volume control switches 58 and 60 are provided on the front surface of the ball tray unit 6. These volume control switches 58 and 60 are for adjusting the volume output from the speakers 54 and 56 based on the player's operation (pressing). The two volume control switches 58, 60 are arranged one above the other. Of these, the upper switch 58 is for increasing the volume, and the lower switch 60 is for decreasing the volume. In the present embodiment, the volume of the speakers 54 and 56 can be adjusted to, for example, three levels of large, medium and small. Therefore, if the current volume level is “high”, each time the player presses the lower switch 60 once, the volume level decreases by one, from “high” to “medium”, from “medium” to “small”. The volume level changes in the order of “. From this state, when the player operates the upper switch 58 this time, the volume level is increased by 1 each time, and the volume level changes from “small” to “medium” and from “medium” to “large”. .

  Next, a configuration related to control of the pachinko machine 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing various electronic devices equipped in the pachinko machine 1. The pachinko machine 1 includes a main control device 70 serving as the center of the control operation, and the main control device 70 mainly controls the progress of the game in the pachinko machine 1. The main controller 70 is equipped with a circuit board on which a main control CPU 72 as a central processing unit is mounted. The main control CPU 72 is an LSI package in which semiconductor memories such as a ROM 74 and a RAM 76 are integrated together with a CPU core (not shown). It is configured.

  Although not shown, the main controller 70 is equipped with an input / output driver (interface) and various ICs in addition to the main control CPU 72, and these are mounted on the circuit board together with the main control CPU 72. On the circuit board, signal transmission paths, power supply paths, control buses, and the like are formed as wiring patterns.

  The passage gate 20 described above is integrally provided with a gate switch 78 for detecting the passage of the game ball. Further, the game board 8 is provided with start winning port switches 80 and 82 and a big winning port switch 84 corresponding to the upper start winning port 26, the variable start winning device 28 and the variable winning device 30. Each of the start winning port switches 80 and 82 is for detecting a winning of a game ball to the upper start winning port 26 and the variable start winning device 28. The big prize opening switch 84 is for detecting the winning of a game ball to the variable prize winning device 30. Similarly, the game board 8 is equipped with a winning opening switch 86 for detecting the winning of a game ball to the normal winning openings 22 and 24. Detection signals from these switches 78 to 86 are input to the main control CPU 72 via an input / output driver (not shown).

  The display operation of the normal symbol display device 34, the special symbol display device 36, the game state display device 38, and the hold lamp 44 described above is controlled based on a control signal from the main control CPU 72. The main control CPU 72 outputs control signals for the display devices 34, 36, and 38 and the holding lamp 44 in accordance with the progress of the game, and controls the lighting state of the LEDs.

  The game board 8 is provided with a start opening solenoid 88 and a large winning opening solenoid 90 corresponding to the variable start winning device 28 and the variable winning device 30, respectively. These solenoids 88 and 90 are operated (excited) based on a control signal from the main control CPU 72 to open and close the variable start winning device 28 and the variable winning device 30, respectively.

  The pachinko machine 1 is equipped with a prize ball payout control device 92. The prize ball payout control device 92 controls the operation of the payout device unit described above. The prize ball payout control device 92 is equipped with a circuit board on which a payout control CPU (not shown) is mounted. The payout control CPU is also an LSI package in which semiconductor memories such as ROM and RAM are integrated together with a CPU core (not shown). It is configured. The prize ball payout control device 92 (payout control CPU) controls the operation of the payout control unit based on the payout request signal from the main control CPU 72, and executes the payout operation of the requested number of game balls.

  Apart from the main control device 70 described above, the pachinko machine 1 includes an effect control device 94 as a control configuration. This effect control device 94 controls the effect accompanying the progress of the game in the pachinko machine 1. The effect control device 94 is also equipped with a circuit board on which an effect control CPU 96 that is a central processing unit is mounted. The effect control CPU 96 is configured as an LSI package in which semiconductor memories such as a ROM 98 and a RAM 100 are integrated.

  The effect control device 94 is equipped with an input / output driver (not shown) and various ICs, as well as a lamp driving circuit 102 and an acoustic driving circuit 104. The effect control CPU 96 controls the effect based on the command for the effect transmitted from the main control CPU 72, gives an instruction to the lamp drive circuit 102 and the acoustic drive circuit 104 to cause various lamps to emit light, and the speakers 54, 56. The process of actually outputting the sound is performed.

  The lamp driving circuit 102 includes a switching element such as a PWM (pulse width modulation) IC or a MOSFET (not shown), for example, and switches (or switches duty) a driving voltage applied to various lamps including LEDs, and emits light / Manage blinking and other actions. In addition to the above-described frame lamps 46 to 52, the various lamps include decoration / production lamps (without reference numerals) installed on the game board 8.

  The acoustic drive circuit 104 is, for example, a sound generator that includes a sound ROM 106, a sequencer 108, an amplifier 112, and the like. The acoustic drive circuit 104 drives the upper speaker 54 and the lower speaker 56 to output sound. In the present embodiment, a volume circuit 110 is incorporated in the acoustic drive circuit 104, and the operation signals from the volume control switches 58 and 60 described above are input to the volume circuit 110. The volume circuit 110 has a built-in up / down counter. The up / down counter counts the operation signals from the volume control switches 58 and 60, and the volume level is set to three levels of “high”, “medium”, and “small”. Can be set. For this reason, the audio signal (the driving signals for the speakers 54 and 56) output from the sequencer 108 to the amplifier 112 through the volume circuit 110 is at a volume level (large, medium, or small) set by the volume circuit 110. Output from speakers 54 and 56.

  The liquid crystal display 42 is mounted on the back side of the game board 8 in a united state together with the display control device 114. The display control device 114 controls the display operation by the liquid crystal display 42. The display control device 114 is provided with a circuit board on which a display controller CPU 116 which is a general-purpose central processing unit and a VDP 122 which is a display processor are mounted. Among these, the display control CPU 116 is configured as an LSI package in which semiconductor memories such as a ROM 118 and a RAM 120 are integrated together with a CPU core (not shown). The VDP 122 is configured as an LSI package in which a semiconductor memory such as an image ROM 124 and a VRAM 126 is integrated together with a processor core (not shown). The VRAM 126 can use a part of the storage area as a frame buffer.

  The ROM 98 of the effect control CPU 96 stores a basic program related to effect control, and the effect control CPU 96 executes effect control according to this program. The production control includes production control using various lamps and speakers 54 and 56 as described above, and production control using image display using the liquid crystal display 42. The effect control CPU 96 transmits basic information related to the effect to the display control CPU 116, and the display control CPU 116 that receives the information performs control for specifically displaying an image for effect based on the basic information. .

  The display control CPU 116 outputs a more detailed control signal to the VDP 122. Receiving this, the VDP 122 accesses the storage area of the image ROM 124 based on the control signal, reads necessary image data therefrom, and transfers it to the VRAM 126. Further, the VDP 122 expands the image data in the frame buffer for each frame (still image per unit time) on the VRAM 126, and individually handles each pixel (full color pixel) of the liquid crystal display 42 based on the buffered image data. To drive.

  In addition, although not shown, a power supply control unit is provided on the back side of the gaming machine frame. This power supply control unit takes in external electric power (for example, AC 24 V) from the island facility, and generates necessary electric power (for example, DC +34 V, +12 V, etc.) therefrom. The electric power generated by the power supply control unit is supplied to various places of the pachinko machine 1 including the main control device 70, the effect control device 94, the prize ball payout control device 92, and the display control device 114.

  Further, the main control CPU 72 can output signals (a special symbol variation start signal, a prize ball payout signal, a game status signal, etc.) to the outside of the pachinko machine 1 through an external terminal board (not shown). The signals output from the external terminal board are collected by, for example, a hall computer in a game hall.

  The above is a configuration example relating to the control of the pachinko machine 1. Next, control processing executed by the main control CPU 72 and the effect control CPU 96 will be described. In the following, description of processing that is not directly related to the present embodiment will be omitted.

  During operation of the pachinko machine 1, the main control CPU 72 executes a predetermined main process. In the main process, the main control CPU 72 monitors the occurrence of a power failure state (a decrease in power supply voltage including turning off the power switch) and performs a predetermined random number update process. The random numbers updated in the main process are random numbers (variation pattern determination random numbers, reach determination random numbers, etc.) that are not related to the jackpot lottery or determination of the jackpot type.

  The main control CPU 72 executes a periodic interrupt process every predetermined time (for example, several milliseconds) while referring to the internal clock. In this periodic interrupt process, the main control CPU 72 opens the input / output port, monitors detection signals input from various switches, outputs control signals to various display devices, and award ball payout control device 92. A payout request signal is output, a drive signal is output to the start opening solenoid 88 and the big prize opening solenoid 90, and various commands are transmitted to the effect control device 94. Further, the main control CPU 72 performs processing for updating a predetermined random number during regular interruption processing (random number updating processing), processing for extracting random numbers triggered by winning at the start winning opening (start winning prize processing), or extraction. A process of performing a big hit internal lottery using the random numbers thus obtained (a big hit determination process) is executed. Here, in particular, the start winning process and the jackpot determination process executed during the normal game will be described.

[Start-up winning process]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the start winning process. Each procedure will be described below.

  Step S10: The main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not a winning detection signal is input from the start winning port switches 80 and 82. If no winning detection signal is input (No), the main control CPU 72 exits from the starting winning process and returns to the periodic interrupt process. On the other hand, when the input of the winning detection signal is confirmed (Yes), the main control CPU 72 executes the next step S12.

  Step S12: The main control CPU 72 checks whether or not the jackpot determination random number stored in the random number storage area of the RAM 76 is less than a predetermined number (for example, four). Here, the number of random numbers is determined, not the random value itself. That is, the random number storage area of the RAM 76 is divided into a plurality of (for example, four) sections, and one random number is stored in each section. If the random number stored at this time is less than the predetermined number (Yes), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to the next step S14. If the stored random number has reached the predetermined number (No), the main control CPU 72 returns to the periodic interrupt process.

  Step S14: The main control CPU 72 accesses the RAM 76, reads out the jackpot determination random number from a predetermined counter area, and caches it (random number extraction). The big hit determination random number in the RAM 76 is updated (incremented by 1) every predetermined period in the above random number update process, and loops within a predetermined numerical range (for example, 0 to 1023).

  Step S16: The main control CPU 72 stores the cached jackpot determination random number in the empty section in the random number storage area in a predetermined order. An order (for example, first to fourth) is set in the plurality of sections, and if all the first to fourth sections are empty at this stage, random numbers are stored in order from the first section. Alternatively, if the first section is already filled and the other second to fourth sections are empty, random numbers are stored in order from the second section.

  Step S18: When the big hit determination random number is stored, the main control CPU 72 adds one winning game ball stored in the RAM 76 and returns to the regular interruption process. The value of the number of winning game balls coincides with the number of random numbers stored in the RAM 76, and the number of lighting indications of the holding lamp 44 coincides therewith.

[Big hit judgment processing]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the big hit determination process. The main control CPU 72 executes this jackpot determination process in the periodic interrupt process.

  Step S30: The main control CPU 72 determines whether or not the special symbol is changing. This determination is made with reference to the value of the symbol changing flag, for example. The main control CPU 72 refers to the flag area of the RAM 76. At this time, if the value of the symbol changing flag is 0, the special symbol display device 36 determines that the special symbol is not being changed and displayed (No), and the next step S32 Proceed to

  Step S32: The main control CPU 72 checks whether or not the number of winning game balls (random number for jackpot determination) stored in the RAM 76 is one or more. If the number of winning game balls is less than 1 (No), the main control CPU 72 returns to the regular interrupt process.

  Step S34: When it is confirmed in the previous step S32 that the number of winning game balls is one or more (Yes), the main control CPU 72 reads the random number value stored in the random number storage area of the RAM 76. At this time, if random numbers are stored in two or more sections, the main control CPU 72 sequentially reads the random numbers from the first section and moves (shifts) the remaining random numbers one by one to the previous section.

  Step S36: The main control CPU 72 determines whether or not the read random number value matches a predetermined jackpot value. The jackpot value is stored in, for example, the ROM 74, and a predetermined number (for example, three) of jackpot values are set in advance among all random numbers (1024) during a normal game (non-probability variation). If the read random number value matches the jackpot value (Yes), the main control CPU 72 then proceeds to step S38.

  Step S38: The main control CPU 72 executes jackpot type determination processing. In this process, first, the main control CPU 72 reads a big hit type determination random number from the counter area of the RAM 76. Next, the main control CPU 72 determines whether or not the read random number value matches a predetermined probability variation (probability variation) jackpot decision value. As a result, if the two match, the main control CPU 72 determines the big hit type as “probability big hit”. Conversely, if the two do not match, the main control CPU 72 determines the jackpot type as “non-probable change (normal) jackpot”. Note that the big hit type determination random number is updated (incremented by 1) in the above random number update process, and this random number loops within a predetermined range (for example, 0 to 255). Further, the probability variation big hit decision value is stored in, for example, the ROM 74, and a predetermined number (eg, 164) of probability variation big hit decision values are set in advance among all random number values (256).

  Step S40: Subsequently, the main control CPU 72 executes a hit stop symbol determination process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 reads a random number for winning symbol from the counter area of the RAM 76, and determines the display mode of the stopped symbol (big winning symbol) by the special symbol display device 36 based on the random number value. The main control CPU 72 also generates a stop symbol command and a lottery result command (at the time of a big hit) to be transmitted to the effect control device 94. The stop symbol command and the lottery result command are transmitted to the effect control device 94, for example, in command output processing during regular interruption processing.

  Step S42: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes a hit variation pattern determination process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 obtains the variation pattern determination random number from the counter area of the RAM 76, and determines the variation pattern number of the special symbol based on the value. The ROM 74 stores a variation pattern table in which a plurality of variation patterns of special symbols are determined. The main control CPU 72 reads out the variation pattern table corresponding to the determined variation pattern number from the ROM 74 and stores it in the cache of the RAM 76. Store in the area. The variation pattern table is waveform pattern data that defines the application state (ON or OFF) of the drive voltage for each segment (7 segments + dot) within the variation time, for example.

  The above-described steps S38 to S42 are the control procedure for the big hit. However, when it is determined in step S36 that the player is not won (missed), that is, the random number value does not match the big hit value, the main control CPU 72 executes the following procedure. .

  Step S44: The main control CPU 72 executes an off-time stop symbol determination process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 extracts the random symbol for the off symbol from the random number update area of the RAM 76, and determines the display mode of the stop symbol (out of symbol) by the special symbol display device 36 based on the random number value. Further, the main control CPU 72 generates a stop symbol command and a lottery result command (at the time of loss) to be transmitted to the effect control device 94. These commands are also transmitted to the effect control device 94 in the command output process.

  Step S46: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes a deviation variation pattern determination process. Among these processes, the main control CPU 72 obtains the random number for determining the variation pattern from the counter area of the RAM 76, and when determining the variation pattern number of the special symbol based on the value, stores it in the cache area of the RAM 76.

  Step S48: The main control CPU 72 executes a variation setting process. In this process, the variation time of the special symbol is set mainly based on the variation pattern number (at the time of hit / out). Generally, the fluctuation time at the time of deviation is shorter than that at the time of hit. When a predetermined number (for example, three) or more of random numbers are stored in the random number storage area, the fluctuation time at the time of loss tends to be further shortened. On the other hand, it is necessary to ensure a relatively long fluctuation time because the big hit reach fluctuation occurs at the time of hitting. However, there may be a case where a relatively long variation time is also assigned to the variation pattern number determined at the time of loss (when reach variation at the time of loss). The main control CPU 72 generates a variation pattern command to be transmitted to the effect control device 94. The variation pattern command is transmitted to the effect control device 94 in the command output process described above.

  Step S50: In the next symbol variation start process, the main control CPU 72 starts the variation display of the special symbol display device 36 based on the variation pattern table cached in the RAM 76. At the same time, the main control CPU 72 sets a symbol changing flag in the flag area of the RAM 76. Then, the main control CPU 72 generates a change start command to be transmitted to the effect control device 94. This variation start command is also transmitted to the effect control device 94 in the command output process.

  Step S52: The main control CPU 72 subtracts one winning game ball number stored in the RAM 76. As a result, the number of lighting of the holding lamp 44 is reduced by one in the periodic interruption process.

  Step S54: When it is determined in the first step S30 that the special symbol is changing (Yes), the main control CPU 72 checks whether or not the changing time has elapsed. The main control CPU 72 has a built-in timer counter, for example, and the variation time determined by the variation pattern determination process (steps S42 and S46) is written in the read / write register of the timer counter. When the variation of the special symbol is started in the symbol variation start process (step S50), the main control CPU 72 loads the variation time of the read / write register to the timer counter, and then decrements the timer counter at every predetermined interrupt cycle. Then, the main control CPU 72 refers to the value of the timer counter through the read / write register, and determines that the variation time has elapsed if the value is 0 (Yes). If the fluctuation time has not yet elapsed (No), the main control CPU 72 continues to decrement the timer counter.

  Step S56: When determining that the fluctuation time has elapsed in the previous step S54, the main control CPU 72 executes a symbol stop process. In this process, the display mode of the special symbol display device 36 is controlled based on the stop symbol determined in the stop symbol determination process (steps S40 and S44). The main control CPU 72 generates a symbol stop command to be transmitted to the effect control device 94. The symbol stop command is transmitted to the effect control device 94 in the command output process described above. When the stop symbol is displayed for a predetermined time in the stop symbol determining process, the main control CPU 72 deletes the symbol changing flag. When the above control procedure is completed, the main control CPU 72 returns to the periodic interrupt process.

  When the special symbol is stopped in the big win display mode, the normal game state is changed to the big win game state (a game state advantageous to the player), and the big prize winning solenoid 90 is operated for a predetermined time in the big hit game process (not shown). Excited for a specified number of times (for example, 16 times) for 30 seconds or until 9 winnings are counted (for example, 16 times), thereby causing the variable winning device 30 to open in a predetermined pattern (continuous differential of special electric accessory) . In the meantime, by allowing the variable winning device 30 to win the game balls in a concentrated manner, the player is given an opportunity to collect many prize balls together.

  As described above, during a normal game by the pachinko machine 1, the game progresses by firing the game ball according to the operation of the player, and in the process, the game ball is placed in the upper start winning opening 26 and the variable start winning device 28. When winning a prize, the big hit lottery is performed in the above big hit determination process. As a result, when the big hit lottery is won (the big hit determination random number matches the winning value), after the special symbol display changes, the display of the special symbol display device 36 stops in the display mode at the time of the big hit, and the above big hit game Transition to the state. However, the special symbol display device 36 is a 7-segment LED, and it is a display mode that is poorly appealing to the player including when the special symbol is fluctuating and when it is stopped. The change effect (reach effect) using the effect design by 42 is performed, and the effect by the audio output using the speakers 54 and 56 is performed in accordance with this.

  The effect designs include, for example, a left effect symbol, a middle effect symbol, and a right effect symbol, which are displayed side by side on the left, middle, and right on the screen of the liquid crystal display 42 (see FIG. 1). ). In addition, each effect symbol displayed on the screen is a part of a symbol row designed with numbers “1” to “9”, for example. These symbol sequences are variably displayed so as to flow (scroll) in the vertical direction in the left region, middle region, and right region on the screen. In the following, a description will be given of an example of an effect process using a change effect using an effect symbol and an accompanying audio output.

[Variation production processing]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the changing effect process executed by the effect control CPU 96. This variation effect process is executed at a predetermined interrupt cycle (for example, a cycle of several milliseconds) separately from the effect control main process performed by the effect control CPU 96. In the effect control main process (not shown), the effect control CPU 96 executes a process for receiving various commands transmitted from the main control CPU 72 and an effect random number update process, as well as the display control device 114 and the lamp driving circuit 102. The signal output processing for the acoustic drive circuit 104 and the like is executed. Hereinafter, the variation effect process will be described along each procedure.

  Step S100: The effect control CPU 96 checks whether or not a lottery result command and a stop symbol command are received from the main control CPU 72. Of these, the lottery result command indicates the result of the big hit lottery, and the stop symbol command specifies the display mode when the symbol is stopped, and indicates the type (probability variable or non-probable variable symbol) in the case of the big win It is.

  Step S102: If it is determined that the command has been received from the main control CPU 72 in the previous step S100 (Yes), the effect control CPU 96 determines whether or not it is a big hit based on the lottery result command.

  Step S104: When it is determined that the lottery result is a big hit (Yes in Step S102), the effect control CPU 96 next determines whether or not the big hit type corresponds to a promising big hit based on the stop symbol command.

Step S106: When the big hit type is a probable big hit (Yes in Step S104), the production control CPU 96 executes the production lottery process (1).
Step S108: When the big hit type is not a probable big hit (No in Step S104), the production control CPU 96 executes the production lottery process (2).
Step S110: If the lottery result is not a big hit (No in Step S102), the effect control CPU 96 executes the effect lottery process (3).

  In these effect lottery processes (1) to (3), the effect control CPU 96 performs a process of determining the effect contents by lottery for each of the hitting time / out of time. Details of the processing will be further described later using another flowchart.

  Step S112: Following one of the effect lottery processes (1) to (3), the effect control CPU 96 executes an effect display process. In this effect display process, the effect control CPU 96 instructs the display control device 114 about the contents of the effect (image data to be displayed, etc.) and outputs a control signal to the lamp driving circuit 102. Thereby, the display control device 114 controls the display operation by the liquid crystal display 42 based on the instructed contents of the effect. The lamp driving circuit 102 drives (turns on or off, blinks, changes the luminance gradation, etc.) various lamps based on the control signal.

  Step S114: In the next sound output process, the effect control CPU 96 instructs the sound drive circuit 104 on the effect contents (for example, changing BGM, audio data, etc.). The details of the sound output processing will be described later using another flowchart.

  When it is determined in step S100 that no command has been received from the main control CPU 72 (No), in the effect display process (step S112), the effect control CPU 96 causes the display control device 114 to produce effect contents (design stop). Middle production). If no command is received from the main control CPU 72 for a predetermined time or more, the effect control CPU 96 instructs the effect contents for demonstration (demon effect).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing in detail the procedure of effect lottery processing (3), and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing in detail the procedure of effect lottery processing (1), (2). FIG. 8 shows an example of an “effect lottery table” used for lottery of effect contents. FIG. 9 shows an example of an “audio data table” that defines audio data. The production lottery processes (1) and (2) are shown in one flowchart because the control procedure is almost the same although the big hit types are different.

[First control example: When the big hit lottery result is off]
When the result of the big hit lottery is non-winning (out of), the effect lottery process (3) is executed in the variable effect process (FIG. 5: step S110). In this case, the effect control CPU 96 executes the procedure of the first control example shown below.

[Figure 6: Production lottery process (3)]
Step S300: The effect control CPU 96 executes an effect lottery at the time of a loss. The effect lottery is performed based on the variation pattern command transmitted from the main control CPU 72. For example, the “effect lottery table” of FIG. 8 is stored in the ROM 98, and this “effect lottery table” has a plurality of effect pattern numbers (for example, 1 for each of the predetermined ranges of the variation pattern command with a predetermined probability). ˜100). The random number random number counter area is secured in the RAM 100, and the effect control CPU 96 increments the random number for lottery (for example, 0 to 1023) at a constant interrupt cycle (for example, several milliseconds). . Then, when the effect control CPU 96 extracts the value of the random number for lottery at the timing of executing step S200, the effect control CPU 96 refers to the effect lottery table based on this value, and selects the corresponding effect pattern number therefrom.

  For example, “10” in FIG. 8 means that there are 10 corresponding random numbers. When “1024”, which is the number of all random numbers, is used as the denominator, for example, when the variation pattern command corresponds to “00 (H) 00 (H)” to “XX (H) XX (H)”, The probability that “1” is selected is 10/1024. Similarly, when the variation pattern command corresponds to “YY (H) YY (H)” to “ZZ (H) ZZ (H)”, the probability that “effect pattern number 50” is assigned is 50/1024. . In FIG. 8, in order to prevent complication, only a part of the range of the variation pattern command and the correspondence between the number of random number values and the effect pattern number are shown. In the figure, X, Y, Z and the like mean numerical values determined as appropriate.

  Step S302: The effect control CPU 96 confirms whether or not “effect with notice” is won in the effect lottery in step S200. In the present embodiment, for example, “effect pattern number 81” to “effect pattern number 100” in FIG. 8 are defined as “effect with notice”. However, in the “effect lottery table” of FIG. 8, when the big hit lottery result is out of place, the variation pattern command transmitted from the main control CPU 72 is only within the range of “effect pattern number 1” to “effect pattern number 90”. Since no winning value is provided, the lottery is performed only within this range. Therefore, if any of “effect pattern number 81” to “effect pattern number 90” is selected in the effect lottery, the effect control CPU 96 determines that “effect with notice” has been won (Yes), and then step S304 is executed. It should be noted that the expression “Direction with“ notice ”” here means that the content is to be told to inform the player of some information before the result of the non-winning lottery is revealed. It is not intended to “notify”.

  Step S304: The effect control CPU 96 selects the image data corresponding to the “effect with notice” from the predetermined “image data table”, and the corresponding BGM (sound effect) data from the predetermined “BGM data table”. Select. For example, the ROM 98 stores an “image data table” and a “BGM data table” corresponding to the effect pattern. Among these, the “image data table” predefines the details of the image data for each effect pattern number. ing. Further, in the “BGM data table”, details of the BGM data that is fluctuating for each effect pattern number are defined in advance. The details of the image data include information such as the contents of the image to be displayed during the changing effect (including details of the background image, the left effect symbol, the right effect symbol, the middle effect symbol, etc.) and the display schedule. Yes. Further, the details of the BGM data include information such as the contents of the BGM (for example, a combination of BGM numbers) to be output during the variation effect, a reproduction schedule, and the like.

  Step S306: The effect control CPU 96 selects the audio data corresponding to the “advanced effect” from the “audio data table”. For example, the “audio data table” of FIG. 9 is stored in the ROM 98. This “voice data table” defines voice data for production (for example, numbers 1 to 100) used in the fluctuation production. Among these, the audio data with numbers 1 to 80 corresponds to “effect without notice”, and the audio data with numbers 81 to 100 corresponds to “effect with notice”.

  In the “voice data table”, all the voice data (numbers 1 to 100) are classified into either “first group” or “second group”. Among these, audio data of numbers 1 to 90 are divided into “first group”, and audio data of numbers 81 to 100 are divided into “second group”. In addition, partially overlapped audio data (numbers 81 to 90) belong to “first group” and “second group”.

  The audio data (numbers 1 to 80) belonging to the “first group” are all assigned audio contents that are not related to the jackpot notice (there may be “no audio”). On the other hand, the audio contents (numbers 81 to 90) belonging to the “second group” are all assigned audio contents related to the big hit notice. For example, the voice data numbers 79 and 80 of the “first group” are assigned male voices, such as “N?” And “Oya?”, Both of which are related to the jackpot notice. Not done. On the other hand, the voice data number 81 of the “second group” is assigned the voice content “Leach!” In male voice, and this voice content is related to the big hit notice. In particular, the voice data number 91 is assigned a voice content of “Oh!” In female voice, and this voice content clearly tells the player in a language form that the lottery result is a big hit. It is.

  In the “audio data table”, the output timing is specified for each audio data. For example, for audio data numbers 79, 80, etc., which are not related to the jackpot notice, the output timing is defined during the variation of all effect symbols. On the other hand, in the audio data numbers 81, 90, etc. related to the big hit notice, the output timing is defined when two effect symbols are stopped.

  Furthermore, in the “voice data table”, whether or not the volume can be set based on the player's operation is defined for each piece of voice data. That is, for the audio data (numbers 1 to 90) classified into the “first group”, the volume setting is permitted (denoted as “variable”). On the other hand, for the audio data (numbers 81 to 100) classified into the “second group”, setting of the volume is not permitted (denoted as “default”). Depending on whether or not the sound volume can be set (variable / default), the volume level actually output from the speakers 54 and 56 differs.

  Here, although the lottery result is non-winning (missed), since “winning production” is won, the production control CPU 96 receives audio data from “first group (numbers 81 to 90)” in step S306. select. Here, the audio data of the numbers corresponding to the effect pattern numbers 81 to 90 determined in the previous step S300 may be selected, or randomly from the “first group (numbers 81 to 90)”. Audio data may be selected.

[Figure 10: Sound output processing]
When the above procedure is executed, the effect control CPU 96 executes sound output processing. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing in detail the procedure of the sound output process. In the first control example, the sound output process is executed according to the following procedure.

  Step S400: First, the effect control CPU 96 instructs the acoustic drive circuit 104 on the selected BGM number and its reproduction schedule data. The BGM number is for designating the address of BGM data (sound source file) stored in the sound ROM 106, and the reproduction schedule data is for designating the reproduction rate of BGM data and the reproduction timing in time series. Is. The reproduction schedule data is buffered in a register built in the sequencer 108, for example. The sequencer 108 decrements the register value with reference to the internal clock signal, and manages the actual BGM data reproduction schedule.

  Step S402: Next, the effect control CPU 96 checks whether or not the selected audio data is divided into the first group. In the first control example, since the audio data is always selected from the first group (Yes), the effect control CPU 96 proceeds to step S404.

  Step S404: The effect control CPU 96 sets the volume variable flag (value = 1) in the flag area of the RAM 76, for example. When this volume variable flag is set, the volume circuit 110 is activated in the acoustic drive circuit 104 when audio data is output.

  Step S406: The effect control CPU 96 instructs the acoustic drive circuit 104 in a state where the value of the volume variable flag, the selected audio data number, and the output timing are associated with each other.

  When the above sound output processing is executed, the sound driving circuit 104 transfers BGM data from the sound ROM 106 to the sequencer 108 in accordance with the instructed reproduction schedule. The sequencer 108 analog-converts the transferred BGM data into a drive signal, and outputs the drive signal to the amplifier 112 through the volume circuit 110. As a result, BGM (effect sound during fluctuation) is output from the speakers 54 and 56 at the volume level set by the player operating the volume control switches 58 and 60. Thus, in the present embodiment, the setting of the volume level by the player is effective when outputting the BGM.

  On the other hand, when outputting audio data, there are cases where the volume level setting by the player is valid and invalid depending on the value of the volume variable flag. In the first control example, since the volume variable flag is set (value = 1) in step S404 as described above, the volume circuit 110 is validated when audio data is output. That is, the sound drive circuit 104 transfers the sound data (sound source file) from the sound ROM 106 to the sequencer 108 in synchronization with the instructed output timing. The sequencer 108 converts the audio data into a drive signal, and outputs the drive signal to the amplifier 112 through the volume circuit 110. At this time, sound is output from the speakers 54 and 56 at a volume level set by the player operating the volume control switches 58 and 60.

  The above procedure is for the case of performing “with notice” at the time of non-winning. When the big hit lottery result is non-winning (out of play) and the “without notice” is performed, the procedure is as follows.

[Figure 6: Production lottery process (3)]
Step S302: When the “effect with notice” is not won (No), the effect control CPU 96 next executes step S308. Normally, when the big hit lottery result is non-winning (missing), the “presentation with notice” is not executed except when the losing reach fluctuation is executed.

  Step S308: The effect control CPU 96 selects image data corresponding to the “effect without notice” from the “image data table”.

  Step S310: The effect control CPU 96 selects audio data from the first group (numbers 1 to 80) of the “audio data table”. As described above, the audio data numbers 1 to 80 have contents corresponding to the “no notice” effect (there is an audio “none”).

[Figure 10: Sound output processing]
In the sound output process, the steps S400 to S406 are similarly executed. In this case, since “effect without notice” is executed, the voice data of “no sound (blank)” is often selected in the effect lottery process (3). When the audio data is blank, no audio is actually output from the speakers 54 and 56, and only the changing BGM is output.

[Second control example: When the big hit lottery results are hit]
When the result of the big win lottery is a win (big hit), the production lottery process (1) or (2) is executed in the variable production process (FIG. 5: step S106 or step S108). In this case, the effect control CPU 96 executes the procedure of the second control example shown below.

[Figure 7: Production lottery process (1), (2)]
Step S200: The effect control CPU 96 executes a winning effect lottery. The effect lottery here is also performed based on the variation pattern command (winning time) transmitted from the main control CPU 72. In the present embodiment, the common “effect lottery table” shown in FIG. 8 can be used for both winning and losing. This is because the lottery result (win / loss) is reflected in the variation pattern command itself. In the “production lottery table”, when the lottery result is a big hit, the “production with notice” is won with a very high probability (for example, 99.9% or more).

  Step S202: The effect control CPU 96 checks whether or not the “effect with notice” is won in the effect lottery in step S200. If the “presentation with notice” is won (Yes), the effect control CPU 96 next executes step S204.

  Step S204: The effect control CPU 96 selects the image data corresponding to the “predicted effect (at the time of hit)” from the “image data table”, and similarly changes the BGM corresponding to the “BGM data table”. (Sound effect) Select data. Note that the image data and BGM data selected here include content corresponding to so-called “big hit reach production”.

  Step S206: When the big win lottery result is a win (big win), the effect control CPU 96 selects audio data from “second group (numbers 81 to 100)”. Similarly, the audio data of the number corresponding to the effect pattern number (81 to 100) determined in the previous step S200 may be selected, or in the “second group (numbers 81 to 100)”. Audio data may be selected at random.

[Figure 10: Sound output processing]
When the above procedure is executed, the effect control CPU 96 executes sound output processing. In the second control example, the sound output process is executed in the following procedure.

  Step S400: Similarly in the second control example, the effect control CPU 96 instructs the acoustic drive circuit 104 of the selected BGM number and its reproduction schedule data.

  Step S402: Further, the effect control CPU 96 checks whether or not the selected audio data is classified into the first group. In the second control example, if “winning effect” is selected, the audio data is selected from the second group (No), so the effect control CPU 96 proceeds to step S408.

  Step S408: Here, the effect control CPU 96 clears the volume variable flag (value = 0). When the volume variable flag is cleared, the volume circuit 110 is invalidated in the acoustic drive circuit 104 when audio data is output.

  Step S406: The effect control CPU 96 instructs the acoustic drive circuit 104 in a state where the value of the volume variable flag, the selected audio data number, and the output timing are associated with each other.

  When the above sound output processing is executed, the sound drive circuit 104 transfers the BGM data from the sound ROM 106 to the sequencer 108 in accordance with the instructed reproduction schedule, and the drive signal converted into an analog form here is amplified through the volume circuit 110. 112 is output. As a result, BGM (effect sound during fluctuation) is output from the speakers 54 and 56 at the volume level set by the player operating the volume control switches 58 and 60.

  On the other hand, in the case where the “presentation with notice” is executed in the second control example, since the volume variable flag is cleared (value = 0) in step S408 as described above, the volume circuit 110 outputs the audio data. It is invalidated. That is, in the acoustic drive circuit 104, the sound data (sound source file) is transferred from the sound ROM 106 to the sequencer 108 in synchronization with the instructed output timing. When the sequencer 108 converts the sound data into a drive signal, the volume circuit The drive signal is output to the amplifier 112 without passing through 110. Therefore, the sound is output from the speakers 54 and 56 at a predetermined volume instead of the volume level set by the player operating the volume control switches 58 and 60.

  The above procedure is for the case of performing “with notice” at the time of winning (big hit). However, in this embodiment, it is very rare to perform “without notice” at the big hit, so the explanation is omitted here. To do.

  Although details of the present embodiment have already been clarified from the above description, the first and second control examples will be described below while showing an example of a change in volume level together with an actual time chart.

  FIG. 11 is a time chart when the symbol variation effect is executed. In FIG. 11, the horizontal axis indicates the passage of time, and the times t1 to t5 that are visited from the start of the change of the special symbol to the stop display are shown in the middle.

[At the start of change: time t1]
In FIG. 11, (A): During the big hit determination process (FIG. 4) executed by the main control CPU 72, the special symbol variation display is started in the symbol variation start process (step S50).

  11 (B) to 11 (D): Each effect symbol (left effect symbol, right effect symbol, medium effect) in the effect display process (step S112 in FIG. 5) executed by the effect control CPU 96 as the special symbol starts to change. Variation display of symbols is started. Thereby, each effect design is variably displayed so as to flow (scroll) in the vertical direction on the screen.

  In FIG. 11, (E): With the start of variation of the special symbol, the output of the effect BGM (fluctuation effect sound) is started in the sound output process (step S114 in FIG. 5 and FIG. 10) executed by the effect control CPU 96. At this time, if the volume level (high / medium / small) is set based on the player's operation, BGM is output from the speakers 54 and 56 at the volume level.

  In FIG. 11, (F): At the time when the variation display of the special symbol is started, the warning sound corresponding to the “effect with warning” is not output.

[Fluctuating: Time t2]
(B) in FIG. 11: For example, among the three effect symbols, the variation of the left effect symbol is first stopped. Thereby, for example, the left effect symbol representing the number “7” is displayed in a stopped state on the screen.

In FIG. 11, (C) and (D): At this time, the other right effect symbols and middle effect symbols are still in a variable display.
In FIG. 11, (E): As the effect BGM, the fluctuating effect sound is continuously output.

[Reach display: Time t3]
In FIG. 11, (C): For example, the change in the right performance symbol is stopped second. At this time, the right effect symbol representing the number “7” is displayed in a stopped state on the screen, so that a so-called reach state is obtained.

In FIG. 11, (D): At this time, the remaining medium effect symbols are still being displayed in a variable manner.
In FIG. 11, (E): The content of the effect BGM changes from the above-mentioned fluctuation effect sound to the reach effect sound.

  In FIG. 11, (F): When the display of the effect symbol is in a reach state, a warning sound is output in synchronization with this. The content of the notice sound output at this time corresponds to the sound data selected in the effect lottery process. For example, if “voice data number 91” is selected, a female voice “Oh!” Is output from the speakers 54, 56. The volume of the warning sound output at this time is a predetermined volume (default volume) regardless of the volume level set by the player's operation. This is because the drive signal is output to the amplifier 112 as it is without passing through the volume circuit 110 from the scener 108 in the acoustic drive circuit 104 as described above.

[During reach production: time t3 to time t4]
In FIG. 11, (A): The special symbol continues to be displayed as it is, but the following reach effects are performed within this period.

  In FIG. 11, (B), (C): After time t3, the left effect symbol and the right effect symbol shift to a state of being displayed on the screen. For example, each effect symbol moves to the left and right end positions in the screen, and is displayed in a state where a wide area at the center of the screen is secured.

  In FIG. 11, (D): Further, after time t3, the medium effect symbol shifts to a mode in which the reach is changed. For example, an effect is performed in which a medium effect symbol is enlarged and displayed within a wide reserved area at the center of the screen, or when the variation of the medium effect symbol is stopped, and the variation is continued.

  Here, the audio data is only related to the notice effect, but may be an aspect in which sound (character dialogue, etc.) having contents not related to the notice is output during the reach effect.

[Stop display: Time t4]
In FIG. 11, (A): When the variation time set by the main control CPU 72 has elapsed, the special symbol is stopped and displayed in the symbol stop process (step S56 in FIG. 4).

  In FIG. 11, (D): Along with the special symbol stop display, the medium effect symbol is displayed in a state where the reach fluctuation is stopped. At this time, if the display pattern of the medium effect symbol represents the number “7”, the three effect symbols are aligned with “7”, “7”, and “7”. It is clearly taught that it is a “hit”. Here, the reach variation of the medium effect symbol is stopped in time with the stop of the special symbol. However, the reach variation may be stopped before the special symbol is stopped.

[Confirmation display: time t4 to time t5]
In FIG. 11, (A): During this period, a special symbol is confirmed and displayed in the symbol stop process (step S56 in FIG. 4). During this time, for example, the numbers “7”, “7”, and the like are actually displayed by the special symbol display device 36 (7-segment LED).

  In FIG. 11, (B) to (D): The three effect symbols are again in the stop display state. For example, using this period, the three effect symbols (“7”, “7”, “7”) are enlarged or highlighted in a state where they are aligned on the screen. Accordingly, it is possible to produce a stunning appeal to the player that the game is a “hit”, and to clearly tell the player the type of jackpot (probability or non-probability) according to the display mode of the effect symbol.

  In FIG. 11, (E): The content of the effect BGM changes from the reach effect sound to the final effect sound. The content of the confirmed effect sound is, for example, to emphasize that “big hit” has been reached, and to make the player aware of the transition to the big hit gaming state.

[Example of volume level]
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the volume level is changed according to the player's operation during the above-described variation effect. In FIG. 12, (A) is an example of pattern 1, and (B) in FIG. In FIGS. 12A and 12B, the horizontal axis represents the passage of time. In addition, a solid line indicates a change in sound classified into the first group, and a broken line indicates a volume of sound classified into the second group. Note that the volume change of the BGM during the fluctuating effect is the same as the sound of the first group.

[Pattern 1: When the volume level of the second group is “High”]
As shown in FIG. 12A, when the initial volume level of the volume circuit 110 is set to “high”, both the first group audio and the second group audio are “high”. "Is output at the volume. In addition, the BGM during the fluctuating effect is output at a volume of “high” in the same manner as the sound of the first group. In this case, the warning sound selected from the second group during the changing performance (for example, “Leach!” Of the number 81) is output at the predetermined volume level “high”, but the warning sound (same as the number 81) is output from the first group. When “Reach!”) Is selected, the sound is output at the initial volume level “Large”.

  When the player performs a volume operation (pressing the volume adjustment switch 60) from the initial state, the volume level of the volume circuit 110 is set to “medium” or “small” according to the number of operations. In this case, the BGM during the fluctuating production is output at the volume level “medium” or “small”, but the warning sound selected from the second group (for example, “reach!”) Is output at the default volume level “high”. Will be. For the player, even though the volume level is set according to his / her own operation, the warning sound is output at a different volume level (here, the default “high”), so that the player feels uncomfortable with the performance. become.

  Thereafter, when the change of the effect symbol is stopped and the effect symbol is stopped and displayed in a big hit mode, the player can clearly recognize that it is a “hit”. At the same time, the player can be made to recognize again that the notice sound was output at the volume level of “Large” during the change of the production symbol, and that it meant “Large hit notice”. Therefore, after this, the player can be made aware that “when the warning sound is output at a volume level different from the set volume level, the big hit is fixed”. In this case, the player can clearly recognize that the reach effect corresponds to the big hit instead of the one corresponding to the loss of reach effect (so-called “gather reach”). And the interest can be maintained until the end, and it is possible to prevent the game motivation from decreasing during the reach production.

  When the big hit lottery result is non-winning (missed), the sound data is always selected from the first group, so the notice sound during the fluctuating production is set to the volume level “medium” or set according to the player's operation. Output in “small”. In this case, for the player, the warning sound is output at the volume level set according to the operation of the player, so that the game can proceed without particularly feeling uncomfortable with the performance.

  On the other hand, when the volume level of the volume circuit 110 and the default volume level are the same as in the initial stage, the warning sound selected from the overlapping range (audio data numbers 81 to 90) of the first group and the second group is common. Are output at the volume level (in this case, “large”). For this reason, if the player listens carefully to the content of the warning sound, it does not know whether or not it means “a big hit notice”. As described above, in the present embodiment, by providing an overlapping range between the first group and the second group, it remains interesting that the player cannot easily see the “big hit notice”. For this reason, a player's interest can be attracted to the reach production to the end, and a decrease in interest can be suppressed.

[Pattern 2: When the volume level of the second group is “medium”]
As shown in FIG. 12B, when the initial volume level of the volume circuit 110 is set to “high”, the sound of the first group is output at the volume level of “high”. The sound of the second group is output at the “medium” volume level. In addition, the BGM during the fluctuating effect is output at a volume of “high” like the sound of the first group. In this case, the announcement sound (for example, “reach!”) Selected from the second group during the variation production is output at the default volume level “medium”, so that the production symbol has reached the reach state for the player. At that time, it is easy to feel uncomfortable with the warning sound being output at the “medium” volume level. Thus, based on the recognition that “the jackpot is confirmed when the warning sound is output at a volume level different from the set volume level”, the player can recognize that it is a “hit jackpot”. . In this case as well, the player can be concentrated on the reach production until the end, thereby preventing a decrease in interest.

  When the volume level of the volume circuit 110 is set to “low” according to the volume operation by the player, the BGM during the variation effect is output at the volume level “low”, but selected from the second group. The warning sound (for example, “reach!”) Is output at a predetermined volume level “medium”. For this reason, similarly, it is possible to make the player have a recognition that “a big hit is fixed when a warning sound is output at a volume level different from the set volume level”.

[Pattern 3: When the volume level of the second group includes “large”, “medium”, and “small”]
FIG. 13 is an example of an audio data table applicable when the volume level of the second group is defined for each audio data.

  In FIG. 13, for example, numbers 001 to 005 are provided as the first group of voice data, and the notice voices A to E are assigned to the voice data, respectively. Similarly to the above, the volume operation by the player is permitted for the voice data of the first group (marked with a circle in the figure), and the volume level can be set to “high”, “medium”, and “small”. is there.

  Further, in FIG. 13, numbers 006 to 010 are provided as the second group of voice data, and the notice voices F to J are assigned to these voice data, respectively. Similarly, the sound volume data of the second group cannot be manipulated by the player (X mark in the figure). However, the volume level is set to “Large”, “Medium”, or “Small” for each audio data.

  In such a pattern 3, the voice data number 008,009 or the voice data number 010 is selected from the second group even if the volume level is set to “medium” or “small” according to the player's operation. In this case, since the warning sound G, H or the warning sound J is output at a predetermined volume level of “medium” or “small”, whether or not it is a “big hit warning” for the player. It is interesting that it cannot be immediately discriminated, and the reach will be thrilled to the end with respect to reach production, so that the willingness to play is less likely to decline.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the volume level of the sound output for production can be arbitrarily set according to the player's operation. In addition, when a big win lottery is performed during the game, the display of symbols is changed based on the lottery result, and then within the period until the symbol combination is displayed in a manner corresponding to the lottery result (reach When the announcement sound is output at the time of production development), if the volume level is different from the one set by the player, the player will immediately be notified that the lottery result is a “hit” Can be recognized (so-called single announcement).

  However, in the present embodiment, the warning sound is not always output at a volume level different from the volume level set by the player, and in some cases, the warning sound may be output at the same volume level. For this reason, there is an advantage that it is possible to continuously suppress a decrease in the interest of the player without losing the player's interest in the reach effect until the end.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented with various modifications.

  In one embodiment, the warning sound (“reach!” Or the like) is output at the timing when the so-called reach state is reached, but the output timing of the warning sound may be other than this. For example, it may be a mode in which a so-called reach notice sound (such as “Let's be reached!”) Is output at a predetermined volume level before reaching the reach state. A mode of outputting both of the warning sounds may be possible.

  In one embodiment, the volume can be set at three levels. However, the volume may be set at only two levels of large and small, or at four or more levels, or the volume can be set steplessly. There may be.

  Furthermore, in one embodiment, “speech” uttered in a language form such as “reach!” Or “big hit!” Is taken as an example. In the present invention, “speech” is simply “sound”, “acoustic”. It may be considered as “sound”. For example, a specific sound effect, some onomatopoeia (“Dokan!”, “Cuin!”, Etc.), music, or the like may be output at the timing when the reach state is reached.

  In one embodiment, the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine, but the present invention may be applied to a rotating game machine. In this case, it is possible to set the volume level related to the production according to the player's operation with the same configuration as that of the embodiment. Then, at the timing when the player operates the start lever, the reel stop button, etc., a notice sound of the lottery result (eg, “Big Win!”, “Win!”, Etc.) is output, and the volume level is set by the player. If it is different from the above, the player can clearly recognize that the lottery result is winning before the predetermined symbol combination (for example, the combination of symbols 7-7-7) is displayed when the reels are stopped. be able to.

It is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine which is one embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the various electronic devices with which the pachinko machine was equipped. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the start winning process performed by main control CPU. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the big hit determination process performed by main control CPU. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the change production process performed by production control CPU. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of an effect lottery process (3) in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of effect lottery processing (1) and (2) in detail. It is an example of an “effect lottery table” used for lottery of effect contents. It is an example of an “audio data table” that defines audio data. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a sound output process in detail. It is a time chart when the symbol variation effect is executed. It is a figure which shows the example from which the volume level changed according to the player's operation during the fluctuation production. It is an example of the audio | voice data table applicable when the volume level of a 2nd group is prescribed | regulated for every audio | voice data.

Explanation of symbols

1 Pachinko machine 36 Special symbol display (symbol display means)
42 Liquid crystal display 54, 56 Speaker (voice output means)
58, 60 Volume control switch (Volume setting means)
72 Main control CPU (lottery execution means, game state transition means)
96 Production control CPU (output voice determination means, voice output control means)
98 ROM (sound content storage means, volume setting availability determination means)
104 Acoustic drive circuit (sound output control means)
106 Sound ROM (sound content storage means)
110 Volume circuit (volume setting means)

Claims (5)

Audio output means for outputting audio;
Volume setting means for variably setting the volume of sound output from the sound output means based on the player's operation;
Output sound determination means for determining the content of the sound to be output from the sound output means during a game;
Based on the content of the sound determined by the output sound determining means, the sound is output by the sound output means at the sound volume set by the sound volume setting means, or depending on the sound volume set by the sound volume setting means. And a voice output control means for selectively controlling whether the voice output means outputs a voice at a predetermined volume. In the gaming machine according to claim 1,
Voice content storage means for storing in advance a plurality of voice contents determined by the output voice determination means;
A volume setting enable / disable defining unit that regulates whether or not the volume setting unit can set the volume for each content of the audio stored in the audio content storage unit;
The audio output control means includes
Of the voices stored in the voice content storage means, when the output voice determination means decides to output a voice whose volume setting is permitted by the volume setting availability determination means, the volume setting means The output sound determination means determines that the sound output means outputs a sound at a set sound volume, while the sound whose sound volume is not permitted to be set by the sound volume setting enable / disable defining means is output. In this case, the game machine is configured to execute control to output sound by the sound output means at a predetermined volume. A lottery execution means for executing a lottery related to a player's profits when a predetermined event occurs during the progress of the game;
When the lottery execution means performs the lottery, after changing the symbol display over a predetermined fluctuation time, the symbol display means to stop the symbol display in a mode according to the lottery execution result by the lottery execution means;
A game in which a lottery result by the lottery execution means corresponds to a specific result, and when a symbol is displayed by the symbol display means in a manner corresponding to the specific result, the game state is shifted to a game state advantageous to the player. State transition means;
Audio output means for outputting sound at least during the change of the display of the symbol by the symbol display means;
Volume setting means for variably setting the volume of sound output from the sound output means based on the player's operation;
Based on the result of the lottery execution by the lottery execution means, the voice output means outputs the sound at the volume set by the volume setting means, or is prescribed in advance regardless of the volume set by the volume setting means. And a voice output control means for selectively controlling whether or not the voice output means outputs a sound at a predetermined volume. The gaming machine according to claim 3,
The audio output control means includes
If the result of the lottery execution by the lottery execution means corresponds to a specific result, the voice output means performs control to output the sound at a predetermined volume regardless of the volume set by the volume setting means. A featured gaming machine. In the gaming machine according to claim 4,
The audio output control means includes
A game machine, characterized in that control is performed to cause the voice output means to output a voice having a content that tells a player that the lottery result corresponds to a specific result.

Images